People have used hawthorn as an herbal treatment for heart disease symptoms for hundreds of years, and the University of Maryland Medical Center notes that research supports this use. The leaves, flowers and berries are used in liquid extracts with water and alcohol, and dry extracts are available in capsules and tablets. These parts of the plant, particularly the leaves and flowers, provide certain health benefits.
Heart Failure Treatment
Hawthorn is useful for treating mild and moderate congestive heart failure, according to the UMMC. This condition involves heart muscle weakness that prevents the heart from pumping blood effectively. People with congestive heart failure tend to become fatigued easily and may need to limit physical activity. Hawthorn significantly boosts heart function in these patients, helps decrease symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath, and improves the ability to exercise. The UMMC notes research indicating that taking hawthorn extract is as effective as taking low doses of the prescription medication captopril for improving symptoms of heart failure including breathing difficulty, fatigue and heart palpitations.
Angina Treatment
The UMMC explains that preliminary evidence indicates hawthorn is effective at treating angina, a condition involving low blood flow to the heart and causing chest pain. Patients taking hawthorn experienced improved circulation and could exercise longer without developing angina symptoms.
Reducing Blood Pressure
Hawthorn may work by causing the dilation of smooth muscle in coronary blood vessels, thus improving blood flow, as explained by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. This effect may be beneficial for reducing blood pressure. The UMMC notes that research in this area is lacking, and recommends patients consult with a doctor before using hawthorn to treat high blood pressure.
Eliminating Free Radicals
Hawthorn contains flavonoids, antioxidants that eliminate free radicals. Free radicals are waste products in the body that develop during the conversion of food to energy, and also from exposure to environmental toxins. Free radicals damage cell membranes and may contribute to the aging process along with development of disorders such as cancer and heart disease, as explained by the UMMC.
Enhancing Memory
Hawthorn is useful in combination with the herb Ginkgo biloba for enhancing memory, according to HerbNet. Both herbs increase circulation of blood to the brain, thus increasing oxygen levels in the brain.
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